R Shraga Feivel Menedlovitch used to give R Gedalia Schorr different shticklach from seforim for him to learn, and provide impetus to grow in avodah. The purpose of this posting is to give a tamtzis and mareh makomos, and that chevrah should look inside and discuss their thoughts on each shtickle.

During the days of the fasts of the Churban (9th of Av, 17th of Tamuz, 10 of Teves, Tzom Gedalia) the Sitra Achra is at peak strength, and because of this, the disasters and churbanos occurred on those days. It is for this reason which we fast on these days, to do awaken our hearts in Teshuva and weaken the hold of Eisav and his domain. The main area where Eisav and his side have rule over is in eating and drinking, as we all know that eating and drinking is a great Taiva for everyone. This can be seen from the Zohar (3:198a) which links the Ben Sorer u Moreh to exile- through his eating and drinking he causes destruction and exile. On Tisha B'av his hold is even stronger as Tisha Bav corresponds to the place on the thigh where Eisav (or his Malach) struck Yaakov. The Zohar (1:170b)says "it is for this reason the children don't eat the gid hanashe which is Tisha Bav that they don't eat on." The Nachas Hashulchan explains; Who was greater than Yaakov Avinu who included within him all of the Neshamos, and fought the Yetzer Hara (who is the Malach of Eisav and the accuser) for all of the Jewish people? Yaakov Avinu won, but as the Yetzer Hara saw that he could not triumph, in order to try and flee, damaged Yaakov Avinu in the thigh, and this is the cause of the tragedies, Churbanos and the fast of Tisha B'av that why it is the most stringent of the fasts of exile.

We are do not make a Shehechiayanu on new fruit during this time as the Chochma, (the inherent divine wisdom in all things) is not as perceivable due to Eisav's hold over these days. However during any mitzvah we can perceive the Chochma, and therefore may make a Shehechiyanu. Even more so a Pidyon haben- a mitzvah whose opportunity to perform it has clearly has been given from Hashem, allows us to see the Chochma. The mitzva of pidyon haben as well as that stresses the idea of holiness of the Bechor and all beginnings. The wisdom which is in everything was the starting point for its creation; one does not build without a plan.